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Entertainer Lee Yule about the time I met him in the '80s. Source: Facebook/Lee Yule (May be subject to copyright) |
“Name That Tune” was hosted that night by Lee Yule, an entertainer from Edmonton and a buddy of one of my friends. Incredibly, that would not be the last time I experienced the musical stylings of Lee Yule.
In fact, in a nine-month period in 1989-1990, Lee provided the sound track for a couple interesting adventures.
The summer of ‘89
After the 1988-1989 school year ended, I decided to stay in Edmonton, live in res, and go to summer school. I also had a nominal, part-time job with the University of Alberta, doing the mail for the few students living in res, and a few other duties.
After the 1988-1989 school year ended, I decided to stay in Edmonton, live in res, and go to summer school. I also had a nominal, part-time job with the University of Alberta, doing the mail for the few students living in res, and a few other duties.
Life was not that interesting until my friend Bruce Freadrich, who I had worked with that school year, finished up his job and also enrolled in summer school. About that time, another co-worker, Larry Irla, also started hanging out and the three of us were virtually inseparable.
Every week we either went to a movie, Margarita Monday or Wing Wednesday at Campus Earl’s, or hung out together.
It was Larry Irla who introduced us to Lee Yule.
Where is New Sarepta?
Larry had talked about his friend Lee, and said he was doing a show at the New Sarepta bar. I wasn’t sure where that was, and neither was anyone else.
Larry had talked about his friend Lee, and said he was doing a show at the New Sarepta bar. I wasn’t sure where that was, and neither was anyone else.
Bruce, who would be driving us in his white Toyota Tercel, dug out a map and figured it was maybe an hour from Edmonton, but not a huge distance.
So, we were set for Saturday night.
We would also be joined by Chris and Kari Jesswein, siblings who were friends of mine, and who went to high school with Bruce.
Name that Tune
We got to New Sarepta not too much before the show started, enough time for Larry to introduce us to Lee Yule.
We got to New Sarepta not too much before the show started, enough time for Larry to introduce us to Lee Yule.
As we walked in the bar, one thing was apparent – we were the only out-of-towners besides Lee. When we walked in the door, it seemed everyone in the place followed us with their eyes. Nothing went beyond that, except that we all shared jokes and laughed as the night went on.
The night opened up well for me.
Bruce had high hopes for me and my musical knowledge in trying to win “Name That Tune”.
The first song Lee played drew a blank from everyone else but, I knew that song. Suddenly it came to me, but I blurted out the first few words, not the name. Then I quickly corrected course.
“My Own Way to Rock,” by Burton Cummings.
Lee seemed suitably impressed.
Lee seemed suitably impressed.
That was the only song I guessed right all night.
It was a great night with great friends, and I really liked Lee Yule.
I never thought I would see him again.
But I did.
Teacher convention
The third year of university was when life began to get serious at university. First semester was the same schedule of content courses in history, geography and computer science. Second semester was our second professional term, where we went out student teaching at an actual school. My first professional term was in my first year when I mostly observed four weeks at a elementary school and four weeks at a junior high. This would be four weeks at a high school.
The third year of university was when life began to get serious at university. First semester was the same schedule of content courses in history, geography and computer science. Second semester was our second professional term, where we went out student teaching at an actual school. My first professional term was in my first year when I mostly observed four weeks at a elementary school and four weeks at a junior high. This would be four weeks at a high school.
During that time Chris and Kari’s parents, who were both teachers, came to Edmonton for teacher convention. It was in a hotel, and they invited us down for the evening entertainment.
It was Lee Yule.
This time, there was no “Name That Tune”, just straight up songs on this incredible machine that sounded like a dozen different instruments.
He was so good, not just at playing music, but reading the crowd.
It was another great night.
Unbeknownst to any of us, the “Edmonton Journal” was there.
A few days later, I opened the paper and was caught by surprise by the front of the City or Life section.
It was a picture of Lee Yule in mid-song.
However, in the background you could see Chris and me in the corner. He was wearing his red and grey winter jacket, while I was wearing my 5K black and pink rugby shirt.
There was no doubt about it. It was us.
There would be no more surprises after that. I never saw Lee Yule again.
Parting thoughts
I actually Googled Lee Yule and found him on Facebook. It looks like he is a realtor now in St. Albert, and bears little resemblance to his persona of the 1980s. Yet, he still has that smile and, coincidentally, someone posted a photo of him from the 1980s. It was unmistakably the same guy. It is embedded above.
I actually Googled Lee Yule and found him on Facebook. It looks like he is a realtor now in St. Albert, and bears little resemblance to his persona of the 1980s. Yet, he still has that smile and, coincidentally, someone posted a photo of him from the 1980s. It was unmistakably the same guy. It is embedded above.
So Lee Yule, wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, thanks for the memories.
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